My last post was all about my favorite ballparks where I've seen games. This post is all about the parks I haven't seen yet, but want to see. Here are the 10 ballparks I want to see most.
10. Jacobs Field
Home of the Cleveland Indians. When it opened, and for several years afterward, you couldn't get a ticket to see the Indians. They sold out every game. This park opened in 1994, replacing the "Mistake on the Lake," Municipal Stadium.
9. Coors Field
Home of the Colorado Rockies. You can come to a ballgame in Denver and literally sit a mile high. There is a row of purple seats in the upper deck that mark the mile elevation. Of course, games at that elevation mean the balls fly out of the park. If you like offense, you'll love Coors Field. And, views of the Rocky Mountains don't hurt, either.
8. Safeco Field
The Seattle Mariners moved out of the Kingdome and into Safeco Field in the middle of the 1999 season. This park is cool because it has a retractable roof, but the park is not fully enclosed. So, if it's rainy, the team can cover the field, while still allowing the feel of an open stadium.
7. Kauffman Stadium
The Kansas City Royals' ballpark is one of the few parks on this list that wasn't built in the "retro-era" of ballpark architecture. In fact, it hosted its first game in 1973, during a time when "cookie cutter" multi-use stadiums were being built around the country (think Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati and others like them). This ballpark has been a model of how to do it right, and has withstood the test of time. The fountain in the outfield gives it a modern feel, but the park is cool because, here, above all else, the game's the thing.
6. Oriole Park at Camden Yards
This is the stadium that started the "retro-era." After this park was built, every team that built a new stadium wanted a ballpark that conjured up memories of baseball's glory days. It was built downtown and fit into the local architecture, even using the warehouse located across the street as part of the stadium's charm. Also has a view of the city. I'd like to check this one out.
5. AT&T Park
I guess that's what it's called this week. I think this ballpark has had three or four names since it hosted its first game in 2000. I'd been to games at the San Francisco Giants' previous home, Candlestick Park, but this is nothing like The Stick. I mean, a home run here might land in the San Francisco Bay! How cool is that?! And the architecture inside the park is cool, giving it an old-time baseball feel and combining it with the excitement of the 21st century.
4. PNC Park
I've never been to Pittsburgh, but I really want to check out this ballpark. I've always had this weird affinity for Pittsburgh teams (I think its because I was little when the Pirates and Steelers were winning in the late 70s), but even more than that, this ballpark is just really cool looking. If it's not the smallest ballpark in the big leagues, it's one of the smallest (in terms of seating capacity). Click the link on the name of the stadium above and check out what you get. It's right on the Allegheny River and the bridges there give it a great look; there's a great view of the city; and every seat looks like it's right near the field.
3. Great American Ballpark
The new home of the Cincinnati Reds has some of the same qualities that PNC Park has. Right on the river and cool architecture. I like the smokestacks in centerfield that play off the Cincinnati's riverboat past. Cincinnati's also just a great baseball town.
2. Yankee Stadium
Some days this park is at the top of my list. This is its final season, so I'm dealing with the fact that I'll never make it there. After I visited Tiger Stadium in Detroit, there were four stadiums that I really wanted to see. I've already been to Fenway Park, Wrigley Field and Dodger Stadium. Yankee Stadium is the last one left unchecked on my list. Unlike the other stadiums on this list, history is what makes this stadium so cool. It's the House that Ruth Built. It has Monument Park in left field. It is the home of the 26-Time World Champions. It's where fans chanted "Reg-gie, Reg-gie." It's where Don Larson threw a perfect game in the World Series. It's where Gehrig, Dimaggio, Mantle, Maris, Whitey, Yogi, Munson, Goose, Mattingly, Jeter, Rivera and all those other greats played. Honestly, the new Yankee Stadium that's going up next door looks very similar (oh, there's plenty of noticeable differences, but the overall look will be the same), but Babe Ruth only built one house.
1. Busch Stadium
The St. Louis Cardinals moved into Busch Stadium from, well, Busch Stadium. And, technically, they moved into the last Busch Stadium from, um, Busch Stadium (famed Sportsmans Park was renamed Busch Stadium in the late 1950s). This new yard, though, is something I really want to go see for myself. Again, it's the atmosphere that I really want to be a part of. St. Louis fans are the best in baseball, and they usually have a good team to cheer for. The stadium itself has cool architecture, but the views outside are great, too. The city skyline and the St. Louis Arch are just outside. As a Tigers fan, I'm a little upset to say the Cardinals won the 2006 World Series in the team's first year in the park.
Others receiving votes: Nationals Park (Washington DC), Miller Park (Milwaukee), Citizens Bank Park (Philadelphia), Petco Field (San Diego).
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Friday, June 6, 2008
Ballparks (that I've been to)
I'm thinking about big league ballparks today. I'm a ballpark junkie. I love to go to games almost as much to look around the ballpark as I do to watch the game itself. Together, they are the perfect combination. This is a list of my favorite major league ballparks that I have attended a game in. What are yours? Leave your list by clicking on the comments link at the end of this list.
10. Angel Stadium
In the late 90's, the Anaheim Angels (as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim were then known) did a great job of turning an old multi-purpose stadium that was formerly used by both the Los Angeles Rams (remember when LA had a pro football team?) and the Angels in a baseball-only ballpark. Disney owned the Angels then, and the rock formation in the outfield also made me think of the Thunder Mountain Railroad at the theme park. Also, it's probably the cleanest stadium I've ever been in.
9. Turner Field
The home of the Braves, they missed a golden opportunity to name the yard for baseball legend Henry Aaron and instead named it after former team owner Ted Turner. OK, technically, it was named for Turner Broadcasting, but c'mon...we know what that was about. The stadium was built to serve as the Olympic Stadium for the Centennial Olympics in 1996, and Michael Johnson's famous golden-shoe run came here. Following the games, it was refitted as a ballpark. Lots of activity going on at this park, great sightlines, huge hi-def scoreboard and, of course, a great team that produced 14 straight division titles and a World Series title in '95.
8. U.S. Cellular Field
This ballpark gets a lot of grief for being the last park built before the "retro" ballpark building craze began in the 90s. I really like this park, though, and have been to several games here. Good atmosphere, good PA announcer, and you can see the field from the concourses, so never losing site of the game as you stroll around the park.
7. Dodger Stadium
This is a great park, and I was excited to take in a Dodger-Padres game here in 2000. So many great baseball moments have taken place here, including one of the best ever. Almost always great weather, another ballpark with a good PA announcer, world famous Dodger Dogs, and it's hosted eight World Series (although it's been 20 years since the Fall Classic was last played at Chavez Ravine).
6. Wrigley Field
Funny story. The first time I attended a game at Wrigley was when the Cubs hosted the Phillies in 1992. The game was sold out, so my dad and I bought some tickets from a scalper in front of the ballpark. I asked him where the seats were located and he replied, "They're up there, but they're in the park." He was true to his word. Barely. When we found our seats, they were the last two seats at the end of the last row in the upper deck. We were the furthest fans from home plate in the ballpark. But we were in the park, and it has a great atmosphere there. The ivy-covered outfield wall and the seventh-inning stretch are legendary.
5. Fenway Park
In 1996, I was in Boston for a conference. Walking around town, I noticed several banks of lights and thought to myself, "That's gotta be Fenway. I'm gonna go check it out." As I continued walking toward Fenway, I remembered that my favorite team, the Detroit Tigers were in town. Bonus! I purchased an obstructed view ticket, since that was all that were left and found my seat that sat directly behind a pole. I spent nine innings exploring the ballpark and watching the game from any location I could get to. And it was awesome. The next day, I took a guided tour. The fans at Fenway are real baseball fans and real Red Sox fans, which earns props from me. The park is a legend in itself, with the Green Monster, Pesky Pole, the crazy angles, the short porch, the Citgo sign, and the small seating capacity...and that's before you even talk about the legendary players and games. By the way, did you know the New York Yankees once owned Fenway Park? Check out the third paragraph on this page.
4. Rangers Ballpark in Arlington
The rest of the way, things get personal for me. I used to live around the corner from this stadium and walk to games here. Originally known simply as The Ballpark in Arlington, it later became Ameriquest Field, only to have its name changed to Rangers Ballpark in Arlington a few years ago. I love this ballpark, even if half the game are played in 100 degree heat. Different parts of the park pay homage to other parks, such as the right field "home run porch" which pays tribute to the right field stands at Tiger Stadium in Detroit. It also hosted the first-ever interleague game (against the Giants). There's not a bad seat in the house (I think I've sat in them all!). A great ballpark, in my opinion.
3. McAfee Coliseum
OK, this is where I start talking about the good 'ol days. I grew up going to Oakland A's games at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, when it had orange seats and bleachers in the outfield. Technically, this is the same ballpark, although you wouldn't know it. Al Davis ruined this ballpark to turn it into a football stadium for his Raiders. But, when I was growing up, there was nothing better than to take in a game at the Coliseum, enjoying sunshine, cool afternoons, "Billy Ball," the Bash Brothers, Rickey, Stewart and Eck. The A's deserve better than what they have now. For me, I'm going to remember the good times. (You can see the "old Coliseum" in the last photo near the bottom of the page that is linked to above.) By the way, yell leader Crazy George invented the wave at an A's game at the Coliseum.
2. Comerica Park
No surprise here. I'm going back to the Motor City to wrap up the list. Again, it's a favorite list. It's the current home of the Detroit Tigers, and it hosted the 2006 World Series, which my brother Barry will be quick to remind me was won by his St. Louis Cardinals. There's a ton of stuff going on at this park, from the gigantic carousel and ferris wheel to the even giganticer (new word) scoreboard with two tigers patrolling the top. The outfield features statues of former Tiger greats and a "dancing waters" display that erupts after the Tigers hit a home run. This is a great park where the past meets the present. Ford Field, home of the NFL's Detroit Lions, is located just beyond the left field wall. When I attended a Tigers game in 2003 (the year the Tigers nearly set a record for most losses in a single season in major league history), a church located just outside the stadium had a giant sign on its roof that read: Pray for the Tigers and Lions here! Funny.
1. Tiger Stadium
Seriously, did you think there would be any other? For me, it's not even close. From 1896-1999, the Tigers played at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull. During that time, the ballpark was built, rebuilt and added onto several times. It also had it's share of names (Bennett Park, Navin Field, Briggs Stadium, Tiger Stadium), and even had its interior paint color changed from green to blue in the '70s. This yard was awesome. The overhang in right field is legendary, and was even copied by the Texas Rangers, which payed tribute to it in its own stadium. Center field was death valley, reaching 440 field from home plate. The flag pole was located in fair territory in center field. And all my favorite players played here. For me, most of my favorite baseball memories took place at Tiger Stadium.
Others receiving votes (in no particular order): Metrodome (Minneapolis), Busch Stadium (St. Louis), Chase Field (Arizona), Candlestick Park (San Francisco), Kingdome (Seattle).
10. Angel Stadium
In the late 90's, the Anaheim Angels (as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim were then known) did a great job of turning an old multi-purpose stadium that was formerly used by both the Los Angeles Rams (remember when LA had a pro football team?) and the Angels in a baseball-only ballpark. Disney owned the Angels then, and the rock formation in the outfield also made me think of the Thunder Mountain Railroad at the theme park. Also, it's probably the cleanest stadium I've ever been in.
9. Turner Field
The home of the Braves, they missed a golden opportunity to name the yard for baseball legend Henry Aaron and instead named it after former team owner Ted Turner. OK, technically, it was named for Turner Broadcasting, but c'mon...we know what that was about. The stadium was built to serve as the Olympic Stadium for the Centennial Olympics in 1996, and Michael Johnson's famous golden-shoe run came here. Following the games, it was refitted as a ballpark. Lots of activity going on at this park, great sightlines, huge hi-def scoreboard and, of course, a great team that produced 14 straight division titles and a World Series title in '95.
8. U.S. Cellular Field
This ballpark gets a lot of grief for being the last park built before the "retro" ballpark building craze began in the 90s. I really like this park, though, and have been to several games here. Good atmosphere, good PA announcer, and you can see the field from the concourses, so never losing site of the game as you stroll around the park.
7. Dodger Stadium
This is a great park, and I was excited to take in a Dodger-Padres game here in 2000. So many great baseball moments have taken place here, including one of the best ever. Almost always great weather, another ballpark with a good PA announcer, world famous Dodger Dogs, and it's hosted eight World Series (although it's been 20 years since the Fall Classic was last played at Chavez Ravine).
6. Wrigley Field
Funny story. The first time I attended a game at Wrigley was when the Cubs hosted the Phillies in 1992. The game was sold out, so my dad and I bought some tickets from a scalper in front of the ballpark. I asked him where the seats were located and he replied, "They're up there, but they're in the park." He was true to his word. Barely. When we found our seats, they were the last two seats at the end of the last row in the upper deck. We were the furthest fans from home plate in the ballpark. But we were in the park, and it has a great atmosphere there. The ivy-covered outfield wall and the seventh-inning stretch are legendary.
5. Fenway Park
In 1996, I was in Boston for a conference. Walking around town, I noticed several banks of lights and thought to myself, "That's gotta be Fenway. I'm gonna go check it out." As I continued walking toward Fenway, I remembered that my favorite team, the Detroit Tigers were in town. Bonus! I purchased an obstructed view ticket, since that was all that were left and found my seat that sat directly behind a pole. I spent nine innings exploring the ballpark and watching the game from any location I could get to. And it was awesome. The next day, I took a guided tour. The fans at Fenway are real baseball fans and real Red Sox fans, which earns props from me. The park is a legend in itself, with the Green Monster, Pesky Pole, the crazy angles, the short porch, the Citgo sign, and the small seating capacity...and that's before you even talk about the legendary players and games. By the way, did you know the New York Yankees once owned Fenway Park? Check out the third paragraph on this page.
4. Rangers Ballpark in Arlington
The rest of the way, things get personal for me. I used to live around the corner from this stadium and walk to games here. Originally known simply as The Ballpark in Arlington, it later became Ameriquest Field, only to have its name changed to Rangers Ballpark in Arlington a few years ago. I love this ballpark, even if half the game are played in 100 degree heat. Different parts of the park pay homage to other parks, such as the right field "home run porch" which pays tribute to the right field stands at Tiger Stadium in Detroit. It also hosted the first-ever interleague game (against the Giants). There's not a bad seat in the house (I think I've sat in them all!). A great ballpark, in my opinion.
3. McAfee Coliseum
OK, this is where I start talking about the good 'ol days. I grew up going to Oakland A's games at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, when it had orange seats and bleachers in the outfield. Technically, this is the same ballpark, although you wouldn't know it. Al Davis ruined this ballpark to turn it into a football stadium for his Raiders. But, when I was growing up, there was nothing better than to take in a game at the Coliseum, enjoying sunshine, cool afternoons, "Billy Ball," the Bash Brothers, Rickey, Stewart and Eck. The A's deserve better than what they have now. For me, I'm going to remember the good times. (You can see the "old Coliseum" in the last photo near the bottom of the page that is linked to above.) By the way, yell leader Crazy George invented the wave at an A's game at the Coliseum.
2. Comerica Park
No surprise here. I'm going back to the Motor City to wrap up the list. Again, it's a favorite list. It's the current home of the Detroit Tigers, and it hosted the 2006 World Series, which my brother Barry will be quick to remind me was won by his St. Louis Cardinals. There's a ton of stuff going on at this park, from the gigantic carousel and ferris wheel to the even giganticer (new word) scoreboard with two tigers patrolling the top. The outfield features statues of former Tiger greats and a "dancing waters" display that erupts after the Tigers hit a home run. This is a great park where the past meets the present. Ford Field, home of the NFL's Detroit Lions, is located just beyond the left field wall. When I attended a Tigers game in 2003 (the year the Tigers nearly set a record for most losses in a single season in major league history), a church located just outside the stadium had a giant sign on its roof that read: Pray for the Tigers and Lions here! Funny.
1. Tiger Stadium
Seriously, did you think there would be any other? For me, it's not even close. From 1896-1999, the Tigers played at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull. During that time, the ballpark was built, rebuilt and added onto several times. It also had it's share of names (Bennett Park, Navin Field, Briggs Stadium, Tiger Stadium), and even had its interior paint color changed from green to blue in the '70s. This yard was awesome. The overhang in right field is legendary, and was even copied by the Texas Rangers, which payed tribute to it in its own stadium. Center field was death valley, reaching 440 field from home plate. The flag pole was located in fair territory in center field. And all my favorite players played here. For me, most of my favorite baseball memories took place at Tiger Stadium.
Others receiving votes (in no particular order): Metrodome (Minneapolis), Busch Stadium (St. Louis), Chase Field (Arizona), Candlestick Park (San Francisco), Kingdome (Seattle).
Friday, May 16, 2008
Movies
Let's talk favorite movies today. I'm not saying they are the best movies, just my favorite. And, honestly, the top six are interchangeable. Any one of those could be number one, depending on how I feel that day. What's your top 10 favorite movies? Let me know in the comments section.
10. The Natural
The mysterious Roy Hobbs seemingly comes out of nowhere to become a baseball hero with the help of his homemade bat, Wonder Boy.
9. Bull Durham
This movie about veteran catcher Crash Davis, rookie fireballer Nuke Laloosh and their Durham Bulls brought the quirkiness of minor league baseball into view. Contains one of my favorite movie lines of all time, when Crash helped up Nuke after punching him out and then introduced himself: "I'm Crash Davis. I'm your new catcher and you just got lesson number one: don't think...it'll only hurt the ballclub." I would not recommend this movie for kids, though.
8. Tommy Boy
Chris Farley and David Spade star in one of the funniest movies ever. Farley, as Tommy Callahan, has to go on the road and become a salesman in order to save the family business, Callahan Auto Parts. Tommy takes along Richard, the opposite of Tommy in every way, and hilarity ensues. Too many great lines in this movie to pick one favorite.
7. Major League
Another baseball movie, another comedy. The Cleveland Indians bring a bunch of has-beens and never-will-bes North after spring training, when the new owner wants to lose as many games as possible so she can move the team to Florida after the season. Rickie "Wild Thing" Vaughn, Willie Mays Hays, Roger Dorn, Jake Taylor and Pedro Cerrano decide they are going to do what they have to do to keep the team in Cleveland. Another movie with a million quotable lines, many provided by play-by-play man Harry Doyle (Bob Ueker).
6. Hoosiers
Like I said, from this point on, any of these movies might be considered my favorite depending on my mood. Hoosiers is based on a true story of a tiny high school in Indiana that defies all odds and does the impossible. A touching story starring Gene Hackman as the head coach of the Hickory High Huskers. A few years ago, USA Today listed the top sports movies of all time. Hoosiers was No. 1.
5. Top Gun
Maverick and Goose in airplanes shooting down other airplanes. Pretty much non-stop action. Great soundtrack. What else do you need?
4. Remember the Titans
Another movie based on a true story about a high school team overcoming all odds. Denzel Washington stars as the head coach of newly-integrated T.C. Williams High in Virginia in the early 70s. But before Washington's character, Coach Herman Boone, can win any games, his team must come together. Many of the training camp scenes at Gettysburgh College were actually shot on the campus of Berry College in Rome, Georgia (where I was the sports information director from 2003-06).
3. Forrest Gump
You can't go wrong with a Tom Hanks movie. My favorite Hanks movies include Big, Saving Private Ryan, Punchline, A League of Their Own and Cast Away, but Forrest Gump is by far my favorite. It covers so many major US events and captures so many emotions held by Americans from the 60s through the 80s. And, it's just a great story...with a ton of quotable lines. Incredible movie. I watch it every time it comes on television. And it comes on a lot.
2. Tombstone
"You gonna do something, or just stand there and bleed?" The great story of how Wyatt Earp and his brothers came to Tombstone, Ariz., to make a fortune, and ended up teaming up with Doc Holliday to protect it from the hated Cowboys gang. Another movie with tons of action (how could any movie depicting the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral not have a ton of action?), you are constantly on edge during this movie.
1. Rocky
I could have made this list really easy and make Rocky the top six slots (Rocky, Rock II, Rocky III, Rocky IV, Rocky V and Rocky Balboa), because I love every Rocky movie. But what fun would that have been? So, I'll just combine them into one. The first two in the series are definitely the best. You gotta love the underdog, rags-to-riches (and back to rags) story. Any fictional character who inspires a real statue in front of a museum in Philadelphia and makes everyone who climbs those stairs that the statue sits atop re-enact a scene from the movie has got to be one of the greatest movie characters of all time.
Others Receiving Votes (in no particular order): Miracle, The Karate Kid, Field of Dreams, Dumb and Dumber, The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, The Sandlot, Caddy Shack.
10. The Natural
The mysterious Roy Hobbs seemingly comes out of nowhere to become a baseball hero with the help of his homemade bat, Wonder Boy.
9. Bull Durham
This movie about veteran catcher Crash Davis, rookie fireballer Nuke Laloosh and their Durham Bulls brought the quirkiness of minor league baseball into view. Contains one of my favorite movie lines of all time, when Crash helped up Nuke after punching him out and then introduced himself: "I'm Crash Davis. I'm your new catcher and you just got lesson number one: don't think...it'll only hurt the ballclub." I would not recommend this movie for kids, though.
8. Tommy Boy
Chris Farley and David Spade star in one of the funniest movies ever. Farley, as Tommy Callahan, has to go on the road and become a salesman in order to save the family business, Callahan Auto Parts. Tommy takes along Richard, the opposite of Tommy in every way, and hilarity ensues. Too many great lines in this movie to pick one favorite.
7. Major League
Another baseball movie, another comedy. The Cleveland Indians bring a bunch of has-beens and never-will-bes North after spring training, when the new owner wants to lose as many games as possible so she can move the team to Florida after the season. Rickie "Wild Thing" Vaughn, Willie Mays Hays, Roger Dorn, Jake Taylor and Pedro Cerrano decide they are going to do what they have to do to keep the team in Cleveland. Another movie with a million quotable lines, many provided by play-by-play man Harry Doyle (Bob Ueker).
6. Hoosiers
Like I said, from this point on, any of these movies might be considered my favorite depending on my mood. Hoosiers is based on a true story of a tiny high school in Indiana that defies all odds and does the impossible. A touching story starring Gene Hackman as the head coach of the Hickory High Huskers. A few years ago, USA Today listed the top sports movies of all time. Hoosiers was No. 1.
5. Top Gun
Maverick and Goose in airplanes shooting down other airplanes. Pretty much non-stop action. Great soundtrack. What else do you need?
4. Remember the Titans
Another movie based on a true story about a high school team overcoming all odds. Denzel Washington stars as the head coach of newly-integrated T.C. Williams High in Virginia in the early 70s. But before Washington's character, Coach Herman Boone, can win any games, his team must come together. Many of the training camp scenes at Gettysburgh College were actually shot on the campus of Berry College in Rome, Georgia (where I was the sports information director from 2003-06).
3. Forrest Gump
You can't go wrong with a Tom Hanks movie. My favorite Hanks movies include Big, Saving Private Ryan, Punchline, A League of Their Own and Cast Away, but Forrest Gump is by far my favorite. It covers so many major US events and captures so many emotions held by Americans from the 60s through the 80s. And, it's just a great story...with a ton of quotable lines. Incredible movie. I watch it every time it comes on television. And it comes on a lot.
2. Tombstone
"You gonna do something, or just stand there and bleed?" The great story of how Wyatt Earp and his brothers came to Tombstone, Ariz., to make a fortune, and ended up teaming up with Doc Holliday to protect it from the hated Cowboys gang. Another movie with tons of action (how could any movie depicting the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral not have a ton of action?), you are constantly on edge during this movie.
1. Rocky
I could have made this list really easy and make Rocky the top six slots (Rocky, Rock II, Rocky III, Rocky IV, Rocky V and Rocky Balboa), because I love every Rocky movie. But what fun would that have been? So, I'll just combine them into one. The first two in the series are definitely the best. You gotta love the underdog, rags-to-riches (and back to rags) story. Any fictional character who inspires a real statue in front of a museum in Philadelphia and makes everyone who climbs those stairs that the statue sits atop re-enact a scene from the movie has got to be one of the greatest movie characters of all time.
Others Receiving Votes (in no particular order): Miracle, The Karate Kid, Field of Dreams, Dumb and Dumber, The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, The Sandlot, Caddy Shack.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Ballplayers
Here's my list of all-time favorite baseball players. This list includes only players I have seen play the game (in person or on television) live. Who is on your top 10 list of favorite ballplayers? Let me know in the comments section of this post.
10. Daniel Ortmeier
Played collegiately at Texas-Arlington, helping Mavericks to 2001 NCAA Tournament. Now an infielder and outfielder for the San Francisco Giants.
9. John Smoltz
Former Detroit farmhand was traded to Atlanta in a trade deadline deal in 1987 for Doyle Alexander, who led the Tigers to the AL East crown that year. Smoltz, who struggled in the minors for the Tigers, found new life with Braves, winning a Cy Young award and becoming one of the top hurlers of his era, both as a starter and reliever.
8. Pete Rose
I struggle with this one, as he turned out to be one of the people you would be least likely to call a role model. The fact is, though, when I was a kid, Charlie Hustle was one of my favorite players. I always checked the box score to see how he did at the plate. The all-time hits leader in big league history, his all-out play on the field is legendary. Unfortunately, so are his gambling and poor decision-making abilities. But, in a more innocent time (for me, not him), Pete Rose was one of my favorites.
7. Rickey Henderson
The all-time stolen base leader. When I was a kid in Sacramento, Calif., all the kids on my street used to copy Rickey's batting stance. The greatest leadoff hitter in big league history, Henderson changed the game when he was on base, making him one of the most exciting players of my lifetime. Rickey also loves to refer to Rickey in the third person. Rickey stories are everywhere, and most seem to be about his disinterest in any person other than Rickey. My favorite: when he signed with the Seattle Mariners, legend has it Rickey walked up to John Olerud (who would wear a helmet while he played first base due to an injury incurred when Olerud was in college) and told him, "Hey, I like that helmet. I used to play with a guy in New York who wore one like that." Olerud replied, "Yeah, I'm John Olerud, and we were teammates in Toronto, too." Henderson says that never happened, but even if it didn't, it's still a funny story.
6. Curtis Granderson
From here on out, it's all Tigers, all the time. This is the only current Tiger in my top 10. The centerfielder is one of the most exciting players in the game today, routinely providing highlight catches in the field, and setting the table as Detroit's leadoff hitter. In 2007, he became just the second player in MLB history to collect 30 doubles, 20 homers, 20 triples and 20 stolen bases (Philadelphia's Jimmy Rollins became the third later in the year). He's also a great role model and even writes a blog for ESPN.com.
5. Jack Morris
This begins my 1980s Detroit Tigers portion of the blog. Morris is my all-time favorite pitcher, and was the winningest pitcher in Major League Baseball in the decade of the 80s. He went on to win World Series crowns with both the Minnesota Twins and the Toronto Blue Jays, but I'll always remember him as a Tiger. He helped lead Detroit to the 1984 World Series title in a year he also tossed a no-hitter. As a Minnesota Twin, he outdueled another pitcher on this list, John Smoltz, by throwing a 10-inning shutout in Game Seven of the '91 Series.
4. Lance Parrish
The Tigers' catcher provided the power in the middle of the order from 1977 until about 1986. It seemed like he was an All-Star every year when I was a kid, and while he was with the Tigers, he was always considered one of the best catchers in baseball.
2. (tie) Lou Whitaker and Alan Trammell
These two belong together on the list. The heart of the Tigers throughout the 80s and into the 90s, Whitaker and Trammell are still recognized as the longest running keystone combination in MLB history, playing just under 2,000 games alongside one another. Both joined the Tigers in 1977 and spent their entire playing careers in The D. Whitaker was Detroit's second baseman until 1995, and Trammell, who spent most of his career at shortstop but was also used as an outfielder late in his career, played one year longer. Both of these guys were named to multiple All-Star teams, and Trammell was the 1984 World Series MVP. Trammell also spent three years as the Tigers' manager, from 2003-06.
1. Kirk Gibson
My all-time favorite athlete, Kirk Gibson was an All-American wide receiver on Michigan State's baseball team and an All-American outfielder on MSU's baseball team when I was really young. He was drafted by the Tigers and eventually called up to the big league club in 1980. Sure, he hit one of the most famous home runs in baseball history when he took Dennis Eckersley deep in game one of the '88 World Series (video here), but I'll take the one he hit off Goose Gossage in game five of the '84 Fall Classic that put the series away for Detroit (video here). The ultimate no-nonsense player, Gibson was the 1984 ALCS MVP, and, as a member of the Los Angeles Dodger, was named 1988 National League MVP.
Others Receiving Votes (in no particular order): Willie Hernandez, Dan Petry, Aurelio Lopez, Tom Brookens, Darrell Evans, Dave Stewart, Bobby Higginson, Mark McGwire, Carney Lansford, Terry Steinbach, Magglio Ordonez, Todd Jones.
10. Daniel Ortmeier
Played collegiately at Texas-Arlington, helping Mavericks to 2001 NCAA Tournament. Now an infielder and outfielder for the San Francisco Giants.
9. John Smoltz
Former Detroit farmhand was traded to Atlanta in a trade deadline deal in 1987 for Doyle Alexander, who led the Tigers to the AL East crown that year. Smoltz, who struggled in the minors for the Tigers, found new life with Braves, winning a Cy Young award and becoming one of the top hurlers of his era, both as a starter and reliever.
8. Pete Rose
I struggle with this one, as he turned out to be one of the people you would be least likely to call a role model. The fact is, though, when I was a kid, Charlie Hustle was one of my favorite players. I always checked the box score to see how he did at the plate. The all-time hits leader in big league history, his all-out play on the field is legendary. Unfortunately, so are his gambling and poor decision-making abilities. But, in a more innocent time (for me, not him), Pete Rose was one of my favorites.
7. Rickey Henderson
The all-time stolen base leader. When I was a kid in Sacramento, Calif., all the kids on my street used to copy Rickey's batting stance. The greatest leadoff hitter in big league history, Henderson changed the game when he was on base, making him one of the most exciting players of my lifetime. Rickey also loves to refer to Rickey in the third person. Rickey stories are everywhere, and most seem to be about his disinterest in any person other than Rickey. My favorite: when he signed with the Seattle Mariners, legend has it Rickey walked up to John Olerud (who would wear a helmet while he played first base due to an injury incurred when Olerud was in college) and told him, "Hey, I like that helmet. I used to play with a guy in New York who wore one like that." Olerud replied, "Yeah, I'm John Olerud, and we were teammates in Toronto, too." Henderson says that never happened, but even if it didn't, it's still a funny story.
6. Curtis Granderson
From here on out, it's all Tigers, all the time. This is the only current Tiger in my top 10. The centerfielder is one of the most exciting players in the game today, routinely providing highlight catches in the field, and setting the table as Detroit's leadoff hitter. In 2007, he became just the second player in MLB history to collect 30 doubles, 20 homers, 20 triples and 20 stolen bases (Philadelphia's Jimmy Rollins became the third later in the year). He's also a great role model and even writes a blog for ESPN.com.
5. Jack Morris
This begins my 1980s Detroit Tigers portion of the blog. Morris is my all-time favorite pitcher, and was the winningest pitcher in Major League Baseball in the decade of the 80s. He went on to win World Series crowns with both the Minnesota Twins and the Toronto Blue Jays, but I'll always remember him as a Tiger. He helped lead Detroit to the 1984 World Series title in a year he also tossed a no-hitter. As a Minnesota Twin, he outdueled another pitcher on this list, John Smoltz, by throwing a 10-inning shutout in Game Seven of the '91 Series.
4. Lance Parrish
The Tigers' catcher provided the power in the middle of the order from 1977 until about 1986. It seemed like he was an All-Star every year when I was a kid, and while he was with the Tigers, he was always considered one of the best catchers in baseball.
2. (tie) Lou Whitaker and Alan Trammell
These two belong together on the list. The heart of the Tigers throughout the 80s and into the 90s, Whitaker and Trammell are still recognized as the longest running keystone combination in MLB history, playing just under 2,000 games alongside one another. Both joined the Tigers in 1977 and spent their entire playing careers in The D. Whitaker was Detroit's second baseman until 1995, and Trammell, who spent most of his career at shortstop but was also used as an outfielder late in his career, played one year longer. Both of these guys were named to multiple All-Star teams, and Trammell was the 1984 World Series MVP. Trammell also spent three years as the Tigers' manager, from 2003-06.
1. Kirk Gibson
My all-time favorite athlete, Kirk Gibson was an All-American wide receiver on Michigan State's baseball team and an All-American outfielder on MSU's baseball team when I was really young. He was drafted by the Tigers and eventually called up to the big league club in 1980. Sure, he hit one of the most famous home runs in baseball history when he took Dennis Eckersley deep in game one of the '88 World Series (video here), but I'll take the one he hit off Goose Gossage in game five of the '84 Fall Classic that put the series away for Detroit (video here). The ultimate no-nonsense player, Gibson was the 1984 ALCS MVP, and, as a member of the Los Angeles Dodger, was named 1988 National League MVP.
Others Receiving Votes (in no particular order): Willie Hernandez, Dan Petry, Aurelio Lopez, Tom Brookens, Darrell Evans, Dave Stewart, Bobby Higginson, Mark McGwire, Carney Lansford, Terry Steinbach, Magglio Ordonez, Todd Jones.
Mick's Top Ten
I love countdown shows. You know, the ones that come on every tv channel, claiming to count down the top 100(fill in the blank) of all time. I love articles promising a list of the top 10 whatever. I grew up listening to Casey Kasem's Weekly Top 40. College sports fans check the AP top 25 polls every week. When I lived in Arlington, Texas my buddy Moe and I would meet for lunch and go over our top ten whatevers, just to pass the time. We got pretty serious about those lists, to,deciding in advance what we would be discussing next time and coming prepared with our written lists. Why? Who knows? Who cares?
So, I figured I'd post some random lists of my top ten favorite things in different categories. For no good reason, other than to entertain myself. In the tradition of the college sports polls, I'll even add an "Others receiving votes" column with a list of items that didn't make the top 10, but were considered.
If you have an idea for a top 10 list, leave a comment and let me know. And don't forget to leave your top 10 in the comment section of each post.
So, I figured I'd post some random lists of my top ten favorite things in different categories. For no good reason, other than to entertain myself. In the tradition of the college sports polls, I'll even add an "Others receiving votes" column with a list of items that didn't make the top 10, but were considered.
If you have an idea for a top 10 list, leave a comment and let me know. And don't forget to leave your top 10 in the comment section of each post.
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